Connection element for the captive mounting of a lever-like cam follower

Abstract

A connection element ( 9, 10 ) is provided for the captive mounting of a lever-type cam follower ( 1 ), which is used to actuate a gas-exchange valve ( 5 ) of an internal combustion engine, on a support element ( 2 ). Said support element ( 2 ) has a spherical end ( 7 ) on which the cam follower ( 1 ) is pivotably mounted by a concave molding ( 6 ). The connection element ( 9, 10 ) is made from a flat material and is arranged, with a central section ( 11 ), on a bottom side ( 12 ) of a base ( 13 ) facing the support element ( 2 ). The base surrounds the concave molding ( 6 ) and connects to the side walls ( 27 ) of the cam follower ( 1 ). The central section forms, with two limbs ( 14 ) that are spaced apart from each other and a web ( 15 ) connected with the limbs, a U-shaped recess ( 16 ), which extends in a longitudinal direction of the cam follower ( 1 ) and which surrounds, in an essentially play-free manner, an annular groove ( 8 ) below the spherical end ( 7 ) in a fork-like manner and orthogonal to a pivoting direction of the cam follower ( 1 ). The limbs ( 14 ) transition into retaining grips ( 17 ) offset by approximately 90° and the web ( 15 ) transitions into a support wall ( 18 ) offset by approximately 90°. Retaining lugs ( 19, 20 ) located on the retaining grips and the support wall are engaged on a top side ( 21 ) of the base ( 13 ) facing away from the support element ( 2 ) for holding the connection element ( 9, 10 ) on the cam follower ( 1 ). The retaining grips ( 17 ) are supported on inner sides ( 26 ) of the side walls ( 27 ) of the cam follower ( 1 ) such that the U-shaped recess ( 16 ) is essentially fixed in position in a perpendicular direction relative to the cam follower ( 1 ) and in terms of a shape thereof.

1. Connection element for the captive mounting of a lever-type cam follower, which is used to actuate a gas-exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, on a support element, which has a spherical end, on which the cam follower is pivotably mounted by a concave molding thereof, the connection element comprising a flat material has a central section, on a bottom side of a base of the cam follower facing the support element, the base surrounds the concave molding and connects to side walls of the cam follower, and the connection element forms, with two limbs that are spaced apart from each other and a web connected with the limbs, a U-shaped recess, which is arranged in a longitudinal direction of the cam follower and which surrounds an annular groove below the spherical end in a fork-like manner, the U-shaped recess surrounds the groove orthogonal to a pivoting direction of the cam follower essentially without play, the limbs transition into retaining grips offset by approximately 90° and the web transitions into a support wall offset by approximately 90°, with retaining lugs located on the retaining grips and the support wall, which are engageable on a top side of the base facing away from the support element for holding the connection element on the cam follower, the retaining grips are supported on inner sides of the side walls of the cam follower such that the U-shaped recess is essentially fixed in position in a perpendicular direction relative to the cam follower and in terms of a shape thereof. 
   
   
     2. Connection element according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the retaining grips has a generally S-shaped end section, which includes the retaining lug. 
   
   
     3. Connection element according to  claim 2 , wherein the end section has a lateral peg, which is engageable in a groove-shaped recess in the inner side of the side wall to support the retaining grip.